Revitalizing perennial salvia

Q. My perennial salvia plants have already bloomed and are now leggy, open, and straggly. Why are they doing this and can I do anything about it?

A. Often as plants age, they may develop a tendency to become leggy. Perennial salvia is a good example of this growth pattern. Immediately after flowering, cut the salvia back to basal growth. They may bloom again later in the summer. However, the second flush of blooms may be sporadic and less prolific than the first. If cutting the blue salvia back leaves gaps in your planting bed, consider filling the spaces with annual salvia. Leggy growth may also be an indication that the plants need to be to be divided. Plants can be lifted and divided in the spring they are beginning to emerge.